The Missing Au Pair

by Carrie Rubin, Susan Marlowe (Narrator)

The City of Lights above, the darkness of evil below…

“Dark, gripping, and impossible to put down”— Los Angeles Book Review

In 1985, Kelly Burke has spent the past year working as an au pair in Paris after finally summoning the courage to take the first step toward her dream of becoming a French teacher. No more grinding away at two jobs back in the United States to support her freeloading mother and brother. No more living with the ghost of her murdered best friend.

But when her classmate and fellow au pair, Erin, goes missing, Kelly worries history is repeating itself. She couldn’t help her friend back home. She at least has to try to help Erin.

Seeking a second year in the program, she requests an assignment with the same family for whom Erin worked. Were they, or anyone else in the building, involved in her disappearance?

The deeper Kelly looks, the more dangerous her probing becomes, and soon she falls prey to a terrifying scheme, deep within the Paris underground.

Content This novel contains a few scenes of violence that might be disturbing to some listeners.

Genres: Thriller

Audible Audio

Published May 22, 2026

About the author

Carrie Rubin is a physician-turned-novelist who writes thrillers. She enjoys exploring other genres as well, and has a cozy mystery published under the pen name Morgan Mayer and a novel of magical realism under the pen name Dannie Boyd.

To learn about new releases or promotions, follow Carrie on BookBub. Or, to receive a free ebook, you're invited to sign up for the author's new-release alerts.

Reviews

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Missing Au Pair' is a fast-paced story of a young American woman working as an au pair (child minder) in 1980's Paris, attempting to solve the mystery of a missing classmate.

Carrie Rubin, the author, takes advantage of her experience living in Paris as she worked in this exact occupation. The story comes to life with colorful descriptions of Paris street scenes, museum visits and especially the darker side of the city in the form of the Catacombs, where the remains of over six million people are found.

There is always some movement to the plot, which I found extremely entertaining - I knew every time I returned to the story, there would be a new development. The characters are either easily likeable or completely evil - because in this story there are definitely both types.

Yes, there are some morbid scenes - but I found the setting deep within the Catacombs to be so unusual and intriguing, that I was more interested in the history of the location than being horrified by the activity. I will say I definitely will visit the Catacombs should I find myself in Paris (but hopefully won't stumble into the situations the main character of the book found herself).

One more note - this is one of the only books I've read that actually wraps up with a few pages on what happens next with each of the main characters - I found that very satisfying.

This is a quick read and would make a great beach book. Carrie Rubin always tells a good story and opens up a new world for her readers in every one of her books.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Grada (BoekenTrol) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a advance review copy (eARC) of this book thought BookSirens with the request to leave an honest review.

This book will be published half way next month, so in the middle of June 2026.

What do I think of it? Well. i have mixed feelings. Did It like the characters? No. Or rather, I liked only Wayne. Sorry not sorry🤷🏻‍♀️ I was very much annoyed by the arrogance of Kelly, who kept nagging about Erin's disappearance and how that reminded her of the disappearance of her friend back home.
And she not only bothered the police about it, also anyone else in ger circle.
I was also not amused by her lack of sense of danger. Well, she knew what she set off to do was dangerous, but the foolish/ignorant part of her decided to go on with it anyway.

And the stereotyping of 'the Americans' and 'the French' as arrogant/ignorant and hautain/xenophobia/self conscious respectively did also not a lot to make me happy to read this particular book.

But, and that was the game changer for me, the plotting was very clever. I was feeling like I stumbled around blindfolded while reading. Not having a clue who had done the crimes. At least not until the very end, when all came together.
I also loved the descriptive way the scenery was depicted. From Kelly's room at her au pair family's house to the walk through the Bois de Boulogne. I could almost deel the cold, damp air in the catacombes and the fear of getting lost.
Well done!

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover describes this as a mystery thriller set in Paris. It begins with the main character, Kelly Burke, admitting she is taking a job under false pretenses. She is taking the unusual step of taking a second year in an immersive language program in Paris, and working as an au pair while doing so. The reason for her decision involves the disappearance of the previous au pair of the family employing her.
The reasons for her choice are revealed during the story in a way that makes you understand the personal nature of her motivation. As the story continues, other characters are introduced that add layers to the story, in the development of Burke’s character and the mystery of the missing au pair. The chapters regularly change the focus among the characters.
My expectations were modest after reading the description, but it quickly sucked me in. The chapters are short and kept me moving quickly. The tension builds steadily, and toward the end, the claustrophobic feeling had me holding my breath in spots. The underground quarries of Paris seemed to become a character of the story. As my excitement built, I became worried that the climax was going to disappoint me. Happily, I can say that the conclusion was greatly satisfying to me. I would consider this a great, summer beach type read.
I received an advanced copy through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Breanne McFall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved a few of Carrie Rubin’s medical thrillers in the past, so I was very excited for this ARC! Unfortunately for me, this book felt completely different in terms of setting, themes, writing style, and pacing - so much so that it felt as if it was written by a different author altogether. While the first part of the book was a bit slow, the second half did pick up and become more suspenseful, and I did enjoy certain aspects about the storyline. In some parts of the story, the writing felt quite basic and seemed as if it could have been edited to be more concise and streamlined. The motives of the characters felt like they needed a bit of fortification as well, as the “why” for many of the characters’ actions seemed weak to me throughout the book. This read may be a hit for those who are new to thrillers and prefer more of a mystery read, enjoy a big of a historical read, or want a Parisian/European setting. I did really enjoy the author’s note at the end that highlighted her own experience in Paris as the inspiration for this book!

Thank you Book Sirens for this free ARC. My review is left voluntarily.

[Tanya · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story requires total suspension of belief and reason for most of it, although, as you keep reading, you will be told that, because the author does not seem to trust the reader to have any critical thought and ELI5 everything.

Stereotypes? That is all this book is based on. Arrogant French people in berets (no striped shirts mentioned, but I am sure they were there). Stupid Americans (no comment). They even took a swipe at Canadians. Not. Cool. Should I have parked ma bicyclette, donned a striped shirt and beret and safely tucked my bagette into my carrier bag before reading this book? Sure felt like it.

Having been an expat (not an au pair mind...) in 3 different places, I know it's easy to assume that "all XX people do YY" and that is a dangerous trap to fall into. This book is just that. If the FMC has just stepped off the plane and was hitting all the major touristy spots, I could see it, but she was meant to have been there for a good while, so that felt wholly unbelievable.

The narration was fine and enabled me to finish this (at 1.5 speed) in one morning as I did not wish to draw out the agony of this story too long.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat. Alice is a French au pair in the 80's who extended her stay to help find out what happened to her friend who suddenly disappeared. Her friend Erin has no family and no one at home to miss her so Alice takes the investigation into her own hands. She constantly talks to the detective on the case and her friend Wayne who both remind her that everything is being done that can be done, but that's not good enough for Alice. This story had me on the edge of my seat. It's mostly from Alice's POV, but there are a few chapters from Wayne's POV which added some depth as well. It's so well told from Alice's POV since Rubin drew off of her own experience in France as an au pair (less murdery according to her comments at the end). This book also took a darker turn than I anticipated, but I still really enjoyed it and didn't want to put it down. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review.
The book had me thinking I knew what was going to happen but I was sorely wrong. I managed to connect with two of the characters and at times I wanted to knock one silly and beg the other one to help knock some sense into the equation.
I commend Kelly for her feelings but I could never have done what she did.
To watch her discover the events and try to understand had me wanting to wrap her in a cozy blanket and give her a cup of tea.
The story begins slowly but quickly captures your attention and leaves you needing to know what happened.

[Audrey]

This was a really good book! It takes place in Paris. When an au pair goes missing another from her program goes looking for it. This book explores the many wonders of Paris, the museums, culture, family life, the language and customs. This book explores depraved behavior of men and women. The underbelly of Paris and the catacombs below the city. It also highlights the unlikely friendship of two French language students who couldn’t be more opposite but form a strong lifesaving bond! This was an exciting , heart pounding book. It will keep u on the edge of your seat! It was truly hard to put down. I highly recommend this book!

[Pheadra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving this review.
I like the way this author tells the story of Kelly, an au pair working in Paris. When her friend, Erin, disappears, Kelly requests a placement with the same family Erin worked for. This reminded me in part of The Nanny Diaries, where family members seem to ignore the hired help without realizing that nannies, au pairs, etc. are very cognisant of what is going on in a home. In this book however, Kelly's sleuthing opens her to all kinds of dangers. Disturbing but noneless good. 4 stars

[Lori Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review.

An interesting read as Au Pair Kelly Burke is employed by the Garron family in Paris as she believes these people could have something to do with Erin; whom they employed before Kelly. Beyond the family being just the kind of people you'd never want to work for, no one around Kelly seems to thinks that someone just up and vanishing means something sinister. Set in the mid eights, shadows are lurking within the beautiful, ancient city.

[Eileen Murphy-Schmehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelly works as an au pair in Paris- a dream she has that allowed her to escape a terrible childhood in the states. When Kelly’s friend goes missing, she must find out what happened; almost in tribute to a friend who was lost to her years before.

Follow Kelly and her friend Wayne as they search the streets and catacombs of the city for answers. I thought I knew where this story was going to go, but it was much darker than I expected. No one in Kelly’s orbit is who they seem to be. A dark thriller.

I received an advance copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bette Reith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a second term Au Pair in London. She is taking the second year because a classmate of hers went missing, and she is determined to get to the bottom of it. She hires on with the same family and starts searching for clues. There are few to deal with at first, but as she expands her search, it leads to dark places beneath the city of Paris. This is a thriller mystery. If you like things a bit scary, this book is for you. Makes you wonder what actually happens underneath the city in real life. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC of this book.

[Sammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked! I felt like I was right there with the characters, I could see the places she described, and I totally didn’t see those twists coming! I like how every few chapters switched view points but the plot didn’t miss a beat - they were all connected well and it was easy to stay on track with what was going on throughout the book. It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next!

Even though I received an ARC for free, my review is voluntary and valid.

[Geoffrey Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this immensely, as I’ve enjoyed Rubin’s previous books. In The Missing Au Pair, she develops the unusual setting of an American au pair in Paris into a chilling tale of macabre events in the city’s underground. The setting is enhanced by Rubin’s own experience as an au pair, but it’s her imagination that carries the protagonist through her search for a missing colleague to the depths of the underground where the chilling plot is revealed.

It’s a great journey—don’t miss it!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an great story about an American au Pair that tries to find a missing au pair she knew. The twists and turns are wonderful page turners that lead her into a very surprising discovery. The characters in the story are well thought and added so much depth to the book. This is a recommended read if you want to be engaged in a wonderfully written story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a mystery at it's core and a protagonist who is determined to solve it. I was swept away in the depths of danger and guessing at every turn and there are a lot of them. It feels exciting but desperate.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy]

The Missing Au Pair was a good read. The characters were well written. I would have given it 5 stars, but the plot of the story triggered memories of a movie that was disturbing for me, to the point where I almost didn’t finish the book. But, I continued on and it ended better than I expected.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[igchoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thrilling read that will have you guessing what exactly is going on and who is involved. Great pacing and characters, with the setting of Paris being the "crème" on top. Interesting to know the author took some of the details from her own experiences. And wow what an ending. Didn't see that coming. Couldn't turn the pages fast enough! (I received an advance copy of this book.)

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts out a whodunit, finishes up a nail-biting thriller, and I loved every minute of it. I liked the 80s references, and I found the characters to be engaging and relatable. I received an ARC of this book.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting from the au pair experience, but you need to suspend disbelief for everything else in the book. Not bad, good ending.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This thriller kept me guessing throughout. I enjoyed being along for the ride as Kelly searched the streets of Paris for her friend Erin. I thought I knew where the plot was going, but I was shocked by the twists and turns leading to the surprising conclusion. Thank you BookSirens for my copy.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Rubin’s books and was excited to read an early copy of this one. It’s a great mystery with a dark twist and the wonderful setting of Paris, both above ground and below. An exciting read!